SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH LUCY MONROE
USA Today best-selling author, Lucy Monroe has a loyal following for a reason. She is known for her scorching scenes and ultra hot alpha heroes. I am certainly one of her big fans! Thankfully this prolific author doesn't know the words 'writer's block.' In 2013 alone, she published six new releases along with many re-prints!
But what keeps her stories so enduring? And what can she tell us about her new series set in the fictitious small Alaskan town called Cailkirn?
This sexy author won't stop. And I say keep them coming!
I couldn't wait to ask her about her new books.
1) I am always amazed at how many books you publish each year. Where do you get your ideas? Do you have a strict writing schedule or routine?
Lucy Monroe: My idea come from everywhere. I'm an avid people watcher and you can't imagine the stories that percolate in my head from seeing the people around me. I also get ideas from the news, from books I've wanted to toss across the room – I need to retell the story and a couple of times that has meant creating my own characters and doing it right. LOL
However, I tried something new for my latest release, Sheikh's Scandal. I participated in a publisher driven mini-series centered round the grand hotel chain The Chatsfield. A continuity series like this is editorially driven, which means we authors are given an outline of the series, a list of characters that are constant (while we are allowed to create some of our own as well) and a basic premise for our own stories (including continuity points we have to include). I never thought I'd write one, but something about this series just felt right and honestly? The story couldn't be more up my alley, if I'd taken the Metro to get there. ;)
As for keeping a strict writing schedule. I try. It's not easy with family and a crazy life like mine, but if I don't write full time, the books don't get done. So I put in the hours, even if it means I'm still putting in all nighters though my college days are long past.
2) I love the intensity of your books, are those the most difficult sections to write? What are the most difficult sections of a book for you to write?
Lucy Monroe: The ending is always the hardest thing to write because letting go isn't easy, but the part of the book that wrings my heart (and makes me cranky enough the family keep their distance) is the dark moment. I'm so emotionally invested with my characters, that moment when I don't know if they are going to make it is painful for me.
3) One of the best things about your books is the emotional highs and lows (raw) I feel with your characters. Are you characters ever based on real people/events?
Lucy Monroe: Not intentionally (re the people), but I often see similarities after the book is done. Because my characters are so close to my heart, they do tend to be like people I know, not people I see in the media. I liken it to real life. The longer we know people, the more they rub off on us and vice versa. This is why people say they see my sisters in me, or that I'm so like my mom, or that my husband is sounding like me now. Right? So, it's only natural that the characters born of my heart would have their bits of the people around me too.
However, there are always exceptions. The hero in Sheikh's Scandal has the usual dose of my husband (who is my superhero), but he is also one of the characters I felt had some things in common with real life royalty. I'll let my fellow romance addicts draw their own conclusions about who that might be after reading it.
As for situations, definitely. I'll read about something on the news, or see a story about an event and it will spark the idea for how two people meant to be together would cope in that situation.
4) I loved your Goddard Project books. Will you write another military series? Or at least a military hero soon? Please?!
Lucy Monroe: There will definitely be former military heroes in my Cailkirn Chronicles (debut 1st 3 books Apr-May-Jun 2015). Alaska is known for the number of Vets that make their lives there after they've served. It's only natural my little town of Cailkirn is going to be home to some of them. You know I appreciate military men and women so much and will always honor them in my writing. Besides, they make really sexy heroes. ;)
5) You have also written historical and paranormal books. But mostly write contemporary romances now. Do you have a favorite genre to write and to read?
Lucy Monroe: It goes in cycles for me. Right now, I love reading paranormal, though I won't be writing it again for a long while. I'm also a huge fan of the contemporary romance and read it indiscriminately. My favorite genre to write is contemporary right now. There are stories I can tell here that don't fit anywhere else – at least not with the same impact.
6) Will you return to paranormal books or historical books?! Can you tell us about any ideas you might have for future books in these genres or are you taking a break from them?
Lucy Monroe: Someday, maybe. I've got a file of story ideas for both, but it really is a matter of time. Time to write. Time to publish. Readers deserve more timely stories in a series and I can't give them that when I'm too scattered in my writing. So, I'm focusing on the two areas I love most right now – my Presents and the upcoming Cailkirn Chronicles.
7) I was excited to read that you have a new series planned for 2015! Can you tell us more about your Cailkirn series? Why did you choose Alaska as a setting for this series?
Lucy Monroe: I would love to. I mean really, really. LOL I'm so jazzed about this series, I've got little "inspirations" for it all over my office. It's a single title contemporary romance series centered around a fictitious small town on the cruise ship route in Alaska. The neatest thing about the series is how we'll be able to see recurring characters and revisit previous main characters in later books. The books are more interconnected than anything I've written before and yet each will stand alone as their own story.
Alaska caught my imagination and heart when my husband and I took his parents on a cruise there a couple of years ago. Each kitchy little town we stopped in brought on fresh story ideas until I realized a series set there would be amazing. Only...I didn't have time. Or so I thought. Berkley decided they didn't want any more Children of the Moon (the publishing industry is in such flux right now) and I decided I didn't want to keep writing paranormal if that was the case. (Letting a series go is hard and as crazy as it might sound, I needed time to grieve CotM before I could consider writing another paranormal series.)
So, I took a huge chance (contemporary single title is an iffy market right now) and developed the series idea which my agent shopped around New York. Grand Central offered a really decent contract, but more importantly – the editor offered the kind of enthusiasm I'd hoped to engender for the series. Waiting for 2015 for the first three books to come out isn't going to be easy, but I seriously cannot wait to hear what readers think of Cailkirn.
8) Have you ever wanted to do a holiday series that features your characters reunited? If you could, which ones would you like to write about?
Lucy Monroe: Wouldn't that be fun? I'd LOVE to do that for my characters in The Goddard Project/Atrati – with visits from my original mercenaries. Can you imagine how Josie decorates her Christmas tree? Do you think she has a cammo dressed angel for the top?
Another holiday scene that would be over the top fun-wise would be to get together with the other authors of The Chatsfield mini-series and do a Christmas story with all of our characters, now they've all fallen in love.
I told you I had a hard time letting go at the end of a book, didn't I? LOL
9) You have so many books in the works, but are there any books you are particularly proud of or feel left unfinished and would like to like more about?
Lucy Monroe: I've written a lot of books that deal with issues too many readers face (like domestic violence, women's health, men's health, the fractured family, parental neglect, prejudices, etc.) and been so touched by reader response. I think though, that the book I'd like most to expand on is Heat Seeker. There was so much more story to tell with both the primary and secondary storyline.
As for the book I'm most proud of, I'd have to say honestly – it's Sheikh's Scandal right now. The entire The Chatsfield mini-series is amazing and being able to participate with other authors I admire in creating this world of characters was incredible. But the book itself deals with loss and building new family ties in a way I'm really happy about. It's very sexy, but the sex is so emotional and that's what I like to read, so offering it to my readers is something that makes me proud. I hope that makes sense.
10) It has been a wonderful experience interviewing you. Thank you for giving us a rare peek into your world!
Lucy Monroe: Thank you, Steph! Connecting with other romance readers always makes me feel like I live in a better world. A world where people believe in happy beginnings and sacrificing for the people they love.
Interviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
For Additional Information about Lucy Monroe check her out at:
http://lucymonroe.com/
Recent and Upcoming Romances by Lucy Monroe:
Sheikh's Scandal Chatsfield Continuity -May 2014
When the Sheikh comes to town...
Sheikh Sayed of Zeena Sarha and his harem of beautiful women are staying at the exclusive, opulent Chatsfield Hotel, London, for the last stop on his worldwide tour before his wedding. But when his engagement is unceremoniously broken, Sayed sets his sights on his sexy chambermaid!
Liyah Amari only took the position as chambermaid to find the truth about her birth father. But her search ends in heartache, leaving Liyah vulnerable to this powerful sheikh’s desires. Now their one night of passion could result in a scandalous consequence for the proud Sheikh!
Welcome to The Chatsfield, London!
Delicious -Re-print Anthology with Moon Magnetism by Lucy Monroe -December 2013
Small town life can be quirky, magical ...
With a full moon hanging over the apple orchards of Delicious, Ohio,
romance is in the air, and three couples are about to experience the
magic of falling in love.
Down on Jonathan Avenue, the shy proprietor of the quaint bookstore can’t seem to keep her fantasies about a famous writer to herself. While at The Old Orchard Inn the tempting smell of spiced hot cider lures an out-of-town investor to investigate the magnetic attraction of his sultry but strangely old-fashioned manager. And over at Apple of My Pie a play-by-the-rules accountant wants much more than tasty treats from the pop up food truck’s on-again-off-again baker.
Satisfaction is just a bite away.
Million Dollar Christmas Proposal -November 2013
Two people need the most amazing holiday miracle of all: love.
Enzu is determined to offer his orphaned niece and nephew the family he’d craved but never known, even if he has to pay a few million for a “loving mother.”
Audrey learns of her CEO’s crazy scheme and sees it as an opportunity to provide the high end education her brilliant brother deserves. Besides, she knows you can’t buy love and those orphaned children deserve better than the women Vincenzo Tomasi is going to draw with his multi-million dollar offer.
Prince of Secrets -By His Royal Decree Duo Book 2 -August 2013
Prince Demyan Zaretsky does whatever it takes to protect his country. So seducing Chanel Tanner will be easy. And marriage? An unfortunate side effect of duty. She unwittingly holds the economic stability of Volyarus in her hands...and he must secure it.
With his royal identity and intent disguised, Demyan sets about a ruthless seduction designed to make Chanle lose her mind with ecstasy. But when he discovers she is a virgin, he uncovers something in himself—a conscience. Now his plan takes a shocking turn—one this dark-hearted prince had never anticipated
One Night Heir -By His Royal Decree Duo Book 1 -July 2013
Only a royal wedding...
Bitter life lessons have taught Crown Prince Maksim Yurkovich that duty must come before desire. His country needs an heir, so when he discovers his lover can’t have children, he must sever their ties. Only Maks can’t resist spending one last night in her bed.
...can avert this royal scandal!
Now he faces the biggest diplomatic crisis of his life. Against all odds, Gillian Harris has become pregnant. Maks’s royal reserve masks the heart of a fierce Cossack warrior—one who is not above using their mutual passion to convince a hurt, wary Gillian that she must be his queen!
Warrior's Moon -Children of the Moon Novel #5 -July 2013
Chrechte wolf shifter Caelis turned his back on his human lover Shona so that he could remain loyal to his pack. Six years later, he thinks she’s dead. He’s wrong...
After being rejected by Caelis, Shona was forced to marry an English baron. Now she’s on the run from the deceased baron’s heir. Determined to protect her children, she heads north to Balmoral Island, to the only family she has left. And runs into the one man she never wants to see again—and the only one who might be able to save her.
As powerful and charismatic as ever, Caelis has been charged with saving his pack from the corrupt laird ruling them. This time, however, he refuses to abandon his sacred mate. He lost Shona once and swears he will never be separated from her again. Passion and love urge Shona to join him. But she has to wonder if she truly comes before the pack, or if nothing has mutual passion to convince a hurt, wary Gillian that she must be his queen!
Entralled with Ecstasy Under the Moon by Lucy Monroe
A Children of the Moon Novella -July 2013
They have the power to hold you spellbound, to captivate your senses, and to keep you forever in their control. Forever enthralled...
#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh returns to her sensual world of the Breeds...as one stubborn Breed meets her match, and can no longer deny her mate—or the fierce desires of her own heart.
New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Day introduces the League of the Black Swan...and the dangerous game one woman plays when her family’s curse dooms her to kill the man she loves.
New York Times bestselling author Meljean Brook delivers a new story in her steampunk world of the Iron Seas...as a man who’s lost everything returns home to find that not only is his marriage in jeopardy, but he must now fight air pirates who intend to steal his one remaining treasure—his wife.
And Lucy Monroe, national bestselling author of the Children of the Moon novels...unleashes the feral passions of a werewolf on the body, mind, and soul of his prey, his lover, his lifemate.
He's The One -Anthology Re-print -July 2013
LINDA LAEL MILLER
Batteries Not Required
The only boyfriend Gayle Hayes has is the battery-operated kind. But when she returns to her small Montana hometown, rodeo bad boy Tristan McCullough gives her a whole new lesson in power surge...
JILL SHALVIS
Captivated
James Scott warned his investigator ex-wife Ella to be more careful. Now he finds the irate woman nearly naked and handcuffed to the towel rack in his Mexican vacation condo. He should release her. Then again...
LUCY MONROE
Seducing Tabby
Everybody always wants Tabby Payton’s beautiful sister. But not sexy English spy Calder Maxwell. He wants Tabby, body and soul, and he’s willing to take the seduction to new levels to prove it...
KATE ANGELL
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service
Violet Cates is done surfing beach bums. She’s ready for a new wave, someone with more ambition than a grain of sand. Like Brad Davis. He looks like a beach bum, but looks can be so deceiving...
CAT JOHNSON
Fish Out of Water
Carla Henricks is a cowgirl through and through, but her lasso has never met an English professor like Mark Ross. It’s true opposites attract. Staying together is the juicy part..